King’s Lynn Mart future is confirmed

King’s Lynn Mart will remain on the Tuesday Market Place and keep its traditional Valentine’s day opening.

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And while the fair will run for fewer days some years, depending which day February 14 falls on, rides will be open longer, with afternoon opening in half term week.

A review into the future of the fair was launched two years ago, after a three-year-old boy was knocked down by a car and killed near the site.

An inquest did not find the Mart to blame for the death of Rio Bell, from Lowestoft. But the coroner said extra safety measures should be explored.

Fair operators and West Norfolk Council were at loggerheads over proposals to reduce the number of days the fair could run and make it open on the Friday before half term.

But a report published today reveals agreement has now been reached between the parties, with a schedule for the next six years drawn up.

The Mart will run for 13 days in 2015 and 16, 11 days in 2017, nine days in 2018 and 19, and eight days in 2020. The report adds it will be open from 2pm during half term week and could also operate on Sundays.

“The advice received was that the Mart could open on a Sunday as long it abided by Sunday Trading Laws,” it says. “The Chief Executive had spoken to the Bishop of King’s Lynn who had no objection to the Mart being open on a Sunday.”

Roads will not be closed while the fair is in situ. But the report says safety marshalls should continue to patrol the area around the market place and the junction with King Street, where a pedestrian crossing has now been installed. It adds the cost should be shared between the council and the fair.

Click here for the full report. Councillors discuss the recommendations next Thursday.

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3 comments

Anyone considered closing all roads in the town because people get killed by cars? Except by good fortune I could have been either the driver or the parent in a case similar to Rio. Spoiling a West Norfolk tradition is not the solution here.